CLEVELAND — Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt made another homecoming of sorts Friday, April 17 at Progressive Field when he faced the Guardians.
Bassitt — a University of Akron pitcher from 2009-2011 — didn’t factor in the decision, but he helped the Orioles defeat the Guardians 6-4.
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The right-handed Bassitt allowed baserunners in all five innings he pitched, but did not allow the Guardians to score.
Was Bassitt dealing like Guardians right-hander Parker Messick was for eight no-hit innings the previous night against the Orioles?
No, but it was Bassitt’s best start this season as he allowed four hits and four walks with two strikeouts in his five scoreless innings.
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson (82) leans back from an inside pitch in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson (82) leans back from an inside pitch in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) catches the ball as Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) dives safely back to second base on a pickoff attempt in the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Leody Taveras (30) steals second base beside Cleveland Guardians shortstop Daniel Schneemann (10) in the second inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) tags out Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) at second base on a steal attempt in the second inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Taylor Ward (3) fields the ball in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) looks for a foul ball in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Steven Kwan (38) makes a catch at the wall in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles, April 16, 2026, in Cleveland.
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick reacts after giving up his first hit of the game in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles, April 16, 2026, in Cleveland.
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (right) reacts during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles, April 16, 2026, in Cleveland.
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez celebrates his two-run home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles, April 16, 2026, in Cleveland.
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Shane Baz (34) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) looks for the ball on a popup by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Blaze Alexander (23) in the third inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A fan catches a home run ball hit by Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (not pictured) in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) scores against Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) in the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles cat Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) looks at the ball after giving up his first hit of the game in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate a win over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Juan Brito (34) dives for the ball on a base hit by Baltimore Orioles center fielder Leody Taveras (not pictured) in the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) singles in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) runs the bases in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) tosses his bat after hitting a single in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Juan Brito (34) turns a double play beside Baltimore Orioles center fielder Leody Taveras (30) in the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Steven Kwan (38) hits an RBI single in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Blaze Alexander (23) turns a double play beside Cleveland Guardians right fielder George Valera (7) in the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. (15) reacts in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) catches a foul ball in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Steven Kwan (38) throws the ball to the infield in front of left fielder Angel Martinez (1) in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Hot dog mascots race between innings of a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Gunnar Henderson (2) hits a RBI sacrifice fly ball in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Juan Brito (34) reaches for a ball hit over his head in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) walks on the field in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Cade Smith (36) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Baltimore Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) reacts as Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (25) slides safely to second base in the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
“He got into some jams and pitch count was getting high early,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “He did a great job of settling in and mixing his pitches like we talked about before the game started. He has to mix his pitches at all counts and be unpredictable, and that’s what he did.”
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Bassitt, a native of Curtice, Ohio, about 35 minutes east of Toledo, is in his first season with the Orioles after helping the Toronto Blue Jays win the American League pennant and reach the World Series in 2025.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt delivers a first-inning pitch against the Guardians, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland.
He entered Friday 0-2 this season with a 9.00 ERA in three starts that totaled 11 innings.
Bassitt immediately faced a challenge and worked himself out of it, pitching out of a bases-loaded situation in the first inning. He walked Chase DeLauter and José Ramírez before Kyle Manzardo hit a single to left to load the bases. Bassitt bounced back and got Rhys Hoskins to pop out to third and Daniel Schneemann grounded out to second to end the inning.
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“I didn’t feel too good in the first or second, but [Orioles catcher] Sammy [Basallo] made a lot of really good calls, and we were able to navigate through it, but yeah, overall, I am good,” Bassitt said.
“Obviously, exciting that we came back and won. More so, I would say the credit of kind of our standard here, what we’re expecting. You have to get 27 outs. Defensively, we have to get 27 outs and then, offensively, you got to get 27 outs against us. I really think the team should be really proud of how we kind of handled the last two games, just in the aspect of not really giving up and rolling over so to speak. So yeah, really happy with how they’re handling it.”
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt reacts in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland.
The Orioles rallied late Friday from a 4-0 deficit. Schneemann hit a grand slam off Orioles reliever Anthony Nunez over the right-field fence in the seventh inning for all four Cleveland runs.
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The Orioles bounced back with six runs in the eighth off Guardians relievers Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski and Connor Brogdon. Weston Wilson hit a two-run double to left off Sabrowski and Jeremiah Jackson smacked a go-ahead three-run home run to left off Brogdon.
Chris Bassitt’s stats 10 seasons into MLB career
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning, April 5, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Bassitt, 37, made his 236th big league appearance (222nd start) Friday. He entered the game with an 83-67 career record, a 3.68 ERA, 1,196 strikeouts and 416 walks over 1,289.2 innings.
“He’s a competitor,” Jackson said of Bassitt. “He’s out there, he’s in meetings, he’s a competitor. He wants to win. He wants to play well. I’m happy that he had a good outing. He’s throwing well, it’s just about making plays behind him and giving him that run support. Obviously, we didn’t score until he came out, but yeah, as far as how he did, we’re happy for him and excited to see him get back out there.”
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Bassitt agreed to a one-year deal with the Orioles worth $18.5 million on Feb. 13, per MLB.com. This contract came after he earned $63 million over three years with the Blue Jays.
“Bassitt is a total veteran,” Albernaz said. “A total pro, battle tested. The thing with Chris is he’s going to get 10 years this year in the big leagues, which is an awesome accomplishment. He’s always trying to get better. He’s never satisfied and that’s how you get to play 10 years in big leagues, where you’re always making adjustments, you’re always trying to get better.
“With Chris, it is the same way and I’m sure he’ll beat up this outing and have more stuff to work on for his eyes, but that’s the beauty of baseball where all of us, staff, players, we’re all trying to get better. You look at the end of the year, we’re a better version of ourselves, and Chris is the epitome of that.”
The Chicago White Sox drafted Bassitt in the 16th round on June 7, 2011. He made his MLB debut with the White Sox on Aug. 30, 2014, and was traded to the Oakland Athletics four months later. He pitched in parts of six seasons with the A’s before being dealt to the New York Mets on March 12, 2022.
Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt throws a pitch for the American League during the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, July 13, 2021, in Denver.
Bassitt, a 2007 Genoa Area High School graduate, was selected as an American League All-Star in 2021 while pitching for the A’s. He finished in the top 10 for the AL Cy Young Award in 2020 and 2021 with the A’s and in 2023 with the Blue Jays.
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“I had like 25 people here I’d say,” Bassitt said. “I always love coming back to Ohio. I grew up a Cleveland [sports] fan, so it’s definitely good to win in this ballpark. Whenever you can pitch close to home, it’s awesome.”
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Chris Bassitt delivers his best Orioles start in win over Guardians